Butterflies are beautiful to look at, but they also help plants grow. Planting milkweed is a good way to attract monarch butterfly pollinators to visit your garden.
Research shows that the health of young monarch butterflies depends on having enough milkweed plants and good weather. As they mature, it’s more about how healthy the milkweed plants are.1 But to make your garden a truly great place for butterflies to live, you need to plant other flower companions, too.
Here’s how to design a flourishing butterfly garden that bursts with life and color throughout the seasons.
What Is Milkweed?
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is a flowering plant genus renowned for being the sole host plant for monarch caterpillars. This means that they exclusively feed on milkweed leaves to fuel their transformation into adult butterflies.
Milkweed is characterized by its milky sap, which gives the plant its name, and its unique seed pods that release fluffy, silken seeds carried by the wind. It encompasses a diverse range of species, each with distinct features like varying flower colors and growth habits.
While milkweed’s association with monarchs is well-known, it extends to other pollinators as well. The nectar-rich flowers attract a wide variety of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a valuable addition to any pollinator garden.
Milkweed Species
There are numerous milkweed species native to different regions of North America. Some common examples include:
- Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): Known for its fragrant pink flowers and adaptability.
- Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Thrives in moist environments and attracts a diverse range of pollinators.
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): A vibrant orange-flowered species that’s drought-tolerant.
- Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): Features large, pink flower clusters and is a favorite of monarch butterflies.
Planting Milkweed with Other Butterfly-Friendly Flowers
Planting milkweed alongside other butterfly-friendly flowers is a great way to create a vibrant and thriving habitat for these pollinators in your garden. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Benefits of Companion Planting
- Attracts a Variety of Butterflies: While milkweed is essential for monarchs, different butterfly species are drawn to various nectar sources. Planting a mix of flowers ensures a diverse buffet for adult butterflies.
- Extends the Blooming Season: Combining plants with different flowering periods provides nectar throughout the spring, summer, and fall, ensuring butterflies have a continuous food source.
- Creates a Visually Appealing Garden: Mixing various colors, heights, and textures adds visual interest and makes your garden a beautiful sanctuary for both butterflies and people.
- Supports a Healthy Ecosystem: A diverse garden attracts other beneficial insects, like bees and ladybugs, which help with pollination and pest control.
Choosing Companion Plants
When selecting companion plants for milkweed, consider the following:
- Native Plants: Prioritize native species as they’re adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, attracting a wider range of native butterflies.
- Nectar-Rich Flowers: Choose flowers that produce ample nectar, like coneflowers, asters, zinnias, and butterfly bushes.
- Variety of Colors: Different butterflies are attracted to different colors, so plant a variety of blooms in shades of purple, pink, yellow, orange, and red.
- Different Bloom Times: Select plants with staggered blooming periods to ensure a continuous supply of nectar throughout the seasons.
- Varying Heights: Include plants of different heights to create a multi-layered garden that offers diverse habitats for butterflies.
Examples of Butterfly-Friendly Companions
Here are some excellent companion plants for milkweed:
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
- Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
- Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
- Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)
- Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
How to Plant Milkweed
Here are some tips to ensure success:
1. Choose the Right Milkweed Species
Select milkweed varieties native to your region. This ensures they’re adapted to your climate and soil conditions. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) are popular choices.
Common milkweed is native in U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. Swamp milkweed is native to Canada and every U.S. state except for Arizona, Mississippi, and those along the Pacific coast. Butterfly weed is native to the eastern and southwestern U.S.
2. Timing Is Key
The best time to plant milkweed seeds is in the fall or early spring. Fall planting allows seeds to undergo natural stratification (cold exposure) over the winter, increasing germination rates. If planting in spring, consider cold-stratifying seeds indoors before sowing.
3. Planting Location
Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Most milkweed species thrive in full sun, although some tolerate partial shade. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and loosening it to a depth of 6-8 inches.
4. Planting Depth & Spacing
Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep and space them according to the species’ mature size. Refer to the seed packet or plant tag for specific instructions.
5. Watering & Care
Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge. Once established, milkweed is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.
6. Mulching
Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
7. Be Patient
Milkweed can be slow to germinate and establish. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
8. Avoid Pesticides
Pesticides can harm monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects. Opt for natural pest control methods if needed.
With the right combination of milkweed and companion plants, your garden will not only delight the eye but also contribute to the health of the ecosystem.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.